The next event that occurred was of so singular a nature that it might have caused me a feeling of superstitious
surprise, if my mind had not been fortified by principle against any pagan weakness of that sort. The
uneasy sense of something wrong in the family which had made me wish myself away from Blackwater
Park, was actually followed, strange to say, by my departure from the house. It is true that my absence
was for a temporary period only, but the coincidence was, in my opinion, not the less remarkable on that
account.

My departure took place under the following circumstances --

A day or two after the servants all left I was again sent for to see Sir Percival. The undeserved slur
which he had cast on my management of the household did not, I am happy to say, prevent me from
returning good for evil to the best of my ability, by complying with his request as readily and respectfully
as ever. It cost me a struggle with that fallen nature, which we all share in common, before I could suppress
my feelings. Being accustomed to self-discipline, I accomplished the sacrifice. I found Sir Percival and
Count Fosco sitting together again. On this occasion his lordship remained present at the interview,
and assisted in the development of Sir Percival's views. The subject to which they now requested my
attention related to the healthy change of air by which we all hoped that Miss Halcombe and Lady Glyde
might soon be enabled to profit. Sir Percival mentioned that both the ladies would probably pass the
autumn (by invitation of Frederick Fairlie, Esquire) at Limmeridge House, Cumberland. But before they
went there, it was his opinion, confirmed by Count Fosco (who here took up the conversation and continued
it to the end). that they would benefit by a short residence first in the genial climate of Torquay. The
great object, therefore, was to engage lodgings at that place, affording all the comforts and advantages
of which they stood in need, and the great difficulty was to find an experienced person capable of choosing
the sort of residence which they wanted. In this emergency the Count begged to inquire, on Sir Percival's
behalf, whether I would object to give the ladies the benefit of my assistance, by proceeding myself to
Torquay in their interests. It was impossible for a person in my situation to meet any proposal, made in
these terms, with a positive objection. I could only venture to represent the serious inconvenience of my
leaving Blackwater Park in the extraordinary absence of all the indoor servants, with the one exception
of Margaret Porcher. But Sir Percival and his lordship declared that they were both willing to put up with
inconvenience for the sake of the invalids. I next respectfully suggested writing to an agent at Torquay,
but I was met here by being reminded of the imprudence of taking lodgings without first seeing them. I
was also informed that the Countess (who would otherwise have gone to Devonshire herself) could not,
in Lady Glyde's present condition, leave her niece, and that Sir Percival and the Count had business to
transact together which would oblige them to remain at Blackwater Park. In short, it was clearly shown
me that if I did not undertake the errand, no one else could be trusted with it. Under these circumstances,
I could only inform Sir Percival that my services were at the disposal of Miss Halcombe and Lady Glyde.

It was thereupon arranged that I should leave the next morning, that I should occupy one or two days in
examining all the most convenient houses in Torquay, and that I should return with my report as soon
as I conveniently could. A memorandum was written for me by his lordship, stating the requisites which
the place I was sent to take must be found to possess, and a note of the pecuniary limit assigned to me
was added by Sir Percival.

My own idea on reading over these instructions was, that no such residence as I saw described could
be found at any watering-place in England, and that, even if it could by chance be discovered, it would
certainly not be parted with for any period on such terms as I was permitted to offer. I hinted at these
difficulties to both the gentlemen, but Sir Percival (who undertook to answer me) did not appear to feel
them. It was not for me to dispute the question. I said no more, but I felt a very strong conviction that
the business on which I was sent away was so beset by difficulties that my errand was almost hopeless
at starting.

Before I left I took care to satisfy myself that Miss Halcombe was going on favourably.